ἀθῷος (athōos)
athōos
innocent
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective athōos describes a person who is free from guilt or blame, carrying the sense of being "innocent" or "unpunished." Its etymology reveals this meaning clearly: it combines a negative prefix with a root related to penalty, effectively defining the word as one who has not incurred punishment. In the New Testament, this term is rare, appearing only twice, both within the narrative of Jesus’ trial in Matthew 27.
These two occurrences highlight a stark contrast in how innocence is perceived. In Matthew 27:4, Judas confesses that he has betrayed "innocent blood," acknowledging his own guilt against someone who bears no legal or moral liability. Shortly after, in verse 24, Pilate washes his hands and declares himself innocent of this same blood, attempting to shift responsibility away from himself. The word underscores the legal reality that Jesus was not guilty of any crime warranting death.
Translators consistently render athōos as "innocent" or "guiltless," preserving the sharp distinction between the perpetrator and the victim. By using this specific term, the text emphasizes that the condemnation of Jesus was not based on his own actions but on the choices of others. The word stands as a factual declaration of legal purity in the face of unjust judgment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word athōos describes a state of being free from guilt or blame. It comes from roots meaning 'not' and 'punishment,' so it literally means one who has not incurred penalty. In the New Testament, this rare term appears only twice in Matthew 27, framing the trial of Jesus. Judas uses it to describe the blood he betrayed, while Pilate uses it to declare himself innocent of that same blood.
For your faith, this word highlights a profound truth: Jesus was legally and morally blameless. His death was not a result of any crime He committed, but rather the choice of others to reject Him. This innocence is central to the Christian hope, showing that salvation comes not because we are perfect, but because Christ took our place.
When you face unfair judgment or feel misunderstood, remember that Jesus knows what it means to be declared innocent by the truth, even when people refuse to see it. His purity stands firm against false accusations, offering you peace and confidence in your standing before God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- innocent.1×
- Guiltless1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀθῷός1×
- ἀθῷον.1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 27:4
saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”
Judas uses this word to acknowledge that the blood he betrayed belonged to someone who bore no legal or moral liability, highlighting his own guilt.
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Matthew 27:24
So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”
Pilate washes his hands and declares himself innocent of this righteous person's blood, attempting to shift responsibility away from himself while acknowledging Jesus' lack of crime.